The 2016 edition is packed with new international galleries, tribal and vernacular art and film, a list of speakers’ renown in their own countries but new to India—and the addition of international director Zain Masud might have something to do with it. The 32-year-old was, until recently, the assistant director of Art Dubai, and has come on board India Art Fair to further streamline the already established property. She tells us what to expect.

As the first international director for India Art fair, what’s on the agenda?The focus is on quality and a discerning approach to every aspect of our programming. Highlighting the best work across disciplines in India and the region, and situating it within the broader cultural landscape—renewing the fair’s synergy with the international arts community at all levels of the market. Balancing local interests with what is relevant globally and encouraging a new generation of collectors in India are also key, not just in January, but also all year round.

Based on the current state of the Indian art market, what is the role you see the fair playing within it?The current state is one of incredible potential. We need, however, to build a greater understanding of and confidence in, contemporary art in India—support of the primary market. There is huge talent here, the Souzas and Husains of the future, at incredibly reasonable prices; you just need to know where to look and how. India Art Fair has an important role to play and responsibility in that respect. It has already been instrumental in pulling together every level of the market and we look forward to building on this, supporting curious enthusiasts, the future patrons, in navigating what’s out there.

One of the big changes in the 2016 edition has been to create a more focussed experience by decreasing the number of participating galleries. Is the India Art Fair experience maturing?We’re not only decreasing the number of galleries but also working much more closely with a select pool of exhibitors so that together we challenge and expand our audience’s horizons. We are welcoming new galleries that have never shown in South Asia before with some really great artists. We are keen that our collectors and visitors gain a full experience, engage in our curated talks and tours of the fair, which we are inviting artists to navigate and inform. However, we’re casting the net wider at the fair and it’s encouraging to be able to expand the possibilities of what we will exhibit here over the coming years, and the people we are beginning to engage from all over the world who will be visiting India for the first time.

The one thing you would like to change in the Indian art world?The domination of the secondary market. The knowledge and experience you gain from conversations and relationships with gallerists and artists, and the global network they can draw you into, can be very enriching and far longer lasting than the rush of waving a paddle. It’s the main reason I chose to work in India. Contemporary art spaces can feel intimidating, it’s the same all over the world, but we need to counter that. The hustle and bustle of an art fair where it feels acceptable to ask for prices and have informal conversations with gallerists is a great place to start, but the next step is actually going to the galleries themselves.

And finally, what’s on your not-to-miss list from the India Art Fair 2016?

The platform will represent young emerging artists or collectives from throughout South Asia, open to galleries and foundations within the region. The kinds of programmes that are less commercial but important to the region’s cultural eco-system, exciting though normally less accessible to our audiences. There will be programmes from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan showing at the fair for the first time.

This year we will lay out spaces that are more experiential, interactive and dynamic, in collaboration with our space designer Vikram Singh and architectural consultants Morphogenesis.We take our first steps towards a multi-disciplinary platform—architecture, film, design and performance and the diversity will make for a day-long experience.

BMW will present the Cesar Manrique BMW 730i Art Car, at the upcoming edition of India Art Fair, reflecting the cultural and historical development of art, design and technology. And they will host the IAF and BMW Annual Collectors Dinner in support and celebration of corporate collaboration and patronage of the arts—this should be exciting!

India Art Fair 2016 will be held at the NSIC Exhibition grounds, Delhi, from January 28-31. Indiaartfair.in